Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-09-01
BILLY's CIRCUS EXPERIENCE.

| Why He Would Rather Get In the WOOu
Than Ride Any More Ponies.
Bang
Billy Walker was delighted. 1t was
the sound of the big drum in the circus
procession winding through the town.
''Toot-toot"
| This was a blast on the trumpets.
Then Billy saw a big scarlet wagon
filled with red-faced performers. their
cheeks puffed out into small pumpkins.
After this came miscellaneous array
| of ''knights," 'ladies," perspiring
goddess of liberty, who bobbed up and
down on a throne not very securely
fastened to cancels back, and there
finally followed a variety show of small
lions, bear, mob of monkeys in
cages. The last vehicle was a wagon
| all closed up and labeled "Whale. J"
| No such fish could be seen, of course,
but then nobody could deny that it
might be inside. Billy was in ecstacy.
He followed the procession as long as
possible, and went home in delight be-
cause a clown on horseback, a clown
whose face was streaked with ver-
million, nodded to him and gave him a
grin that seemed to split the crown
face from ear to ear.
GRANDMOTHER, said Billy that
evening, when packed away in his
rocking chair near the kitchen stove,
he watched that diligent relative mix
ing bread for the morrow, II think
would like to be circus-man.
/ regret to let it go on record that
Billy was one of those boys who think
every day life is dull, that home is a
sort of stupid place, that grand
mothers are prosy beings (Billy's
parents being dead, he lived with
Grandmother Walker). The excite
ment of a circus, life with that dis
tinguished man, ''the Clown with
the goddess of liberty and other
prominent characters, strongly at
tracted Billy. He had now declared
his wish to be in the show business.
What, William?' said his grand
mother, looking stern. He saw at
once that he had made a mistake.
Like to be circus-manr' said his
relative, giving her mass of dough a
furious dig with an iron spoon. '.In-
stead of sitting there talking about be-
ing circus-man, William, can tell
you some thing more useful; go and
bring your grandmother an armful OF
wood"
Billy did not stir. It was more pleas
ant to sit in his chair and muse about
grand circus life than to go after
wood for grandmother fire.
IF you are going after that wood,"
said his grandmother, continuing her
illusions to very disagreeable sub
ject, '.you had better go now. It is
going to rain, and the wind blows, and
it will be rather unpleasant going after
that wood out in the shed. You see,
William, there is a kind of attractive
ness about many things, kind of noise
and buster and going round that
pleases some folks; but you be content
ed with what comes every day, and do
your duty in that state of life unto
which 1t has pleased God to call you.
Now you grow up that way, trying to
be contented, and do your duty every
day, and don't chase circuses or any
thing else that sort of tempts you be-
cause it makes great hurrah in the
world
Billy did not reply outwardly, but in
his thoughts he said:
Guess know a thing or two as
well as grandmother, and I mean to
do as I please.
II am going up stairs now." re-
marked his relative. ''but will come
down in little while"
Billy was dumb to this remark also.
He had his thoughts, however As
soon as his grandmother had left the
room he said to himself. "Good! She
is goner' In little while he softly
stole out of doors. having seized his
cap, and scampered toward the circus
tent. The band was playing.
Lovely music!'' exclaimed Billy.
s'Oh, there he isr'
Yes, at the side entrance was his for
mer acquaintance, the clown.
Here I ami said Billy. Don't
you know me? You smiled at me in
the procession"
"Eh?" replied the clown. II smiled
at a thousand folks; and were you one
of them?''
Billy was disappointed to find he
was not known, but he hid his chagrin
and said: 81 am going to join YOU"
.'Youp What can you dop"
This was very notifying to Billy.
Can you ride horse?' continued
The clown.
Billy dared not reply, fearful lest
negative might lose him all opportunity
for employment
You can, can your ALI right, young
man. We will have rehearsal before
the evening show, and we will see how
well you can do
Somehow the clown was not so funny
and smiling as in the procession, but
very soberly he led Billy within the
tent.
"Might bring that pony here" said
the clown to an attendant. 1--WE will
try this boy"
WHAT" said the groom. '.He can't
ride
He didn' say he couldn't, and we
will try him, anyway" said the clown,
coolly. HE will find out what he has
got to do
II shall tumble off," Billy wanted
to say, but dared not, for fear he
might loose every chance for circus
glory.
You had better look out for him."
cautioned the groom.
''Oh, I'll fix that ! can glue him